Features:

  • 2.4G wireless Technology
  • Built in rechargeable battery
  • Highest quality retro Controller available, Designed with attention and care
  • Includes M30 2.4G Controller, 2.4G receiver & USB cable
  • Upgradeable firmware
Amazing Controller But Design Wise, It Isn't Exactly like a 6 Button Genie

A lot of people will be turned off by the design. It's slightly smaller than the boomerang design of the original 6 button Sega Genesis controller. This feels like a hybrid of the 6 button Genesis and Model 2 Sega Saturn controller. It's like they had a baby which is a good thing. The dpad is amazing besides mine creaks. It makes creaking noises, not a quiet dpad but it doesn't affect me mainly because I'm use to that with my other older OG controller. Overall, it's def. lag free because I notice no lag at all. This thing is flawless. It works like a charm and I have not been having connection issues like some people here. My two controllers work perfectly fine. I have a review and impressions video on my youtube channel which is SegaSaturnSNK. I did comparisons between the OG Genie controller and this. Check it out if you like and also using the controller on actual games and even on PC. Awesome fighting gamepad too especially for PC. SF and KOF works like a dream. Like I said in the beginning, the size will be a turn off for some people. I think if you favor more towards the Sega Saturn Model 2 controllers, you will like this imo. Overall, I highly recommend.

Great controller!

I purchased two of this, a black and a white one. Both worked great out of the box. I have not had any connectivity issues that other users reported even when using both at the same time on the same console. I have tested them on an original model 1 Sega Genesis. The controller feels very good in the hand despite not being exactly the same shape as an original 6-button controller and the D-pad is also excellent like in original hardware. I am very sensitive to input lag, and I did not detect any lag whatsoever. I am very glad that 8bitdo is starting to release more 2.4G wireless. The only minor issue that I had was that the Start button on one of the controllers got stuck in the pressed position for about 5 seconds until I pressed it again. This occurred only once right after taking it out of the box and never happened again. Overall, you cannot beat this $25 price for such a quality controller.

One of the best game controllers I have ever used

I admit, when I saw YT videos saying this controller competed with or even bested the original Sega 6-button arcade pad, I was more than skeptical. The Sega 6-button arcade pad was and is my favorite game controller of all time; it was 90% of the reason I got a Genesis back in the day vs a SNES as a Street Fighter fan; the milkbones just didn't compete (and didn't have the right layout either). But this 8bitDo product is frankly amazing. Not just in how responsive it is (the 2.4ghz version is basically lag free for all practical purposes), but in how the design is weighted, and fits the hand. They have really got something special here, you really owe it to yourself to check out. While I wouldn't say necessarily that as a controller alone it is better than the Genesis 6-button...the fact that it's wireless REALLY gives it enough extra points that it is likely to be better in total value and enjoyment gained. And either way, the fact that it's even remotely close is a remarkable achievement. Well worth the price, well worth getting. I find myself able to pull off Street Fighter II Dragon Punches and Fireballs with the same or better accuracy as with the Sega 6-button original pad, and charged moves even better. This is the best test measurement I can think of for a directional pad comparison, and the M30 succeeds spectacularly.

Very responsive with a modern design

The M30 is fantastic. The mode button being moved from the right bumper to the center of the controller was a great move as now you won’t hit it on accident. The D-pad is very high quality. It isn’t on a rocker like the Sega 6 button. What I mean by that is you can push down in the middle and the whole d-pad depresses. Not something that you experience in game, just a design difference. This isn’t a mock up of the classic Genesis 6 button. It is more like a mashup of that and a Saturn controller. It has L and R buttons as well that are mapped to Z and C if you prefer shoulder buttons. Updating the firmware needs to be done to the controller and receiver. The unit that plugs into the Genesis needs a hex screw driver to unscrew. A super tiny one. The shape of the controller is actually more comfortable to hold than the original while the main face buttons and d-pad are in the exact same spots they are on the original. No dimples on the B and Y buttons, but at this point they aren’t really needed. If you are a Genesis gamer you know the layout like the back of your hand. I didn’t notice any delay from controller lag. It is incredibly responsive! The price is less than half of the Krikzz controller and it’s obvious that a ton of TLC went into this. It’s a no brainer for the hardcore Genesis players.

Initially had some problems; fantastic controller.

EDIT - problem has been solved by a firmware update from 8bitdo support. It's a bit more to do (opening the receiver casing to plug in via usb is necessary with a T5 screwdriver) however I updated both my controllers and receivers from 1.09 to 2.00 and they work beautifully. Glad I took the time to contact them instead of returning. ORGINAL REVIEW I absolutely love the feel and performance of the controller, however, like others have mentioned, I have constant connection issues. I'm 5ft away from my system with clear line-of-sight. I've emailed 8bitdo support to see what can be done, if anything, however i think only the bluetooth model is firmware updatable. For what it's worth, my v2 Genesis/CD/32X combo constantly has connection issues. My v1 Genesis/CD works perfectly with them. I don't have the cable to test with the 32X, but it seems like some models have issues and others dont. Very strange. Using it wired with windows or a nintendo switch works extremely well. I have it mapped like a 6 button Genesis pad in retroarch and it's likely my favourite retro controller. All that said, I'll probably return these and get the bluetooth models that i know will work. Sadly the retro receiver adds considerable cost.

Fantastic Controller, with a minor, but fixable, issue on a Sega CDX.

The wireless gamepad was everything I had hoped for: long lasting rechargable battery, easy syncing, and low input lag. It's very comfortable and doesn't have a cheap feel to it. The single issue I have with it is that it is not entirely compatible with the Sega CDX. The problem is that the wifi receiver does not fit the port on the console - the reciever itself is a little bigger that the usual connector (see images). While it will sync and turn on, the controller suffers from, essentially, a loose connection. Buttons may not work, or are massively delayed, and it makes everything entirely unplayable. That being said, using an extension cord remedies the problem completely. As I realize I am in the minority of Sega owners by having a CDX vs a sega model 1-3, I cannot hold it against 8bitdo for this minor issue. But I felt like I should say something incase another CDX owner buys/considers this otherwise fantastic product. To be sure it wasn't faulty hardware, I also tested this controller on my backup console, a sega 2. The controller connected and worked flawlessly. Games tested: Sonic 2, Strider, D&D: Warriors of the Eternal Sun, and Outrun.

Fantastic Wireless option for Genesis.

For the past 6 months or so the Joyzz controller from Krikzz has been my main controller for Genesis, and while it is a fantastic controller it is a bit expensive at $65. So when I saw the M30 get announced at a $25 price tag I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. The build quality like other 8bitdo controllers is very high quality. The plastic has a matte finish and texture that makes it feel more premium. The D-Pad is absolutely fantastic and the face buttons are as responsive as you'd expect. I also could not detect any input lag over the Joyzz, it felt equally as responsive. Syncing was super fast, just hold the start button for a few seconds and it just works. Also, for those games that require 3 button mode to work make sure to hold the - button for around 3 - 5 seconds. Lastly, unlike some other reviewers I have not experienced any interference issues or drop outs. I had both my M30 and Joyzz working at the same time with no problems at all. FWIW, I'm using this in a small room where my router is located. I hope 8bitdo fixes whatever issues other people have been experiencing, because when the M30 works its absolutely fantastic, especially at the $25 price tag.

A great modern take on a classic era of gaming!

I own the 2.4G and retro receiver for the SNES and was very pleased with their performance so I was quick to pre-order the M30 when it was announced. After some use, they were worth the wait. This gamepad has a smaller and more comfortable profile the the classic 3 button Genesis controller and feels great in the hands. The retro receiver is already pre-mapped to the gamepad and is ready to go out of the box (might need an hour to charge though). I've only tested the performance on a CRT television so far but can say that there isn't any noticeable lag in that configuration. (Can't guarantee the same results on a flat screen!!) I have the Mega SG pre-ordered and I look forward to seeing how these controllers will perform on a more modern setup once that system arrives. I can definitely recommend these for a classic Genesis setup in the meantime!

With updated firmware: THE BEST Genesis controller on the market and at a great price

I am going to write my review at the top, but if you are looking for information about the disconnection glitch and the firmware update supplied by the manufacturer than skip down, or search for With that out of the way, I want to highlight how awesome the controller really is. It has a very solid design, an amazing D-Pad similar to the classic 6 button Sega controllers, and great feeling buttons. The shoulder buttons function as extra "C" and "Z" buttons, meaning your thumb never has to move across more than one button at any time. This is great for games where reaction time is important. The 2.4GHz model feels as responsive and lag free as a wired controller. Testing has shown that this model is actually more responsive than its Bluetooth counterpart. The receiver supplied with the 2.4GHz model has a smaller form factor than the Bluetooth model. This is actually very important on the Genesis which uses an array of pins for the controller connectors. Too much wiggling or force applied from the sides can cause those pins to bend and break and the likelihood and potential for damage is significantly less with the smaller and lighter receiver. I also think it looks a lot nicer. Even though it uses 2.4GHz RF, you can connect this controller to a PC via USB, and it makes an excellent controller for playing older games, or newer games like Sonic Mania, Cuphead, etc. It uses standard X-Input controls which works out great because A, B and X, Y are in the same positions on this controller as an X-Box controller. My one current complaint is that there is no "home button"; similar to the "home keys" on a computer keyboard, on the original Sega 6 button controllers there are small bumps on the B and Y buttons, so you know without looking where your thumb is. These are missing from this controller. However, I do not deduct this from the review because the shoulder buttons actually solve this issue by allowing you to keep your thumb over the four left buttons and use your index fingers for C and Z. But it would still be nice to have. The battery life is fantastic, 35 hours off of a single 1-2 hour charge. Overall, this is the best Genesis controller on the market and a crazy deal at $25. The only downside is that if yours has the original firmware you will need to update it. Below I have documented my experience as well as the fix supplied by 8Bitdo. - - - - - - After reaching out to 8Bitdo support (they were very fast and very helpful), I was sent an email containing Beta firmware drivers to try out. The ones that I was sent were labeled as version 2.00, along with a README that was a DOC formatted file with embedded pictures (so open this with Word or similar). I have uploaded an image of the files. IMPORTANT! The only firmware updates currently listed on their support website are for the Bluetooth version of the M30! You cannot use these for the 2.4GHz model, and you cannot use the auto-updater from their site for it either (i will talk about this more soon). You will need to get the new firmware files either from 8Bitdo support, or wait for them to be made available. So, if you are having similar issues - please email their support team! There are separate drivers for both the controller and the receiver. This is VERY important because the receiver has a Micro USB port that can only be accessed by unscrewing the shell. I have attached pictures of this to make it as clear as possible. YOU WILL NEED A SMALL STAR SCREWDRIVER TO OPEN IT! Another VERY IMPORTANT piece of info, you do not update the firmware for the 2.4GHz controllers the same way as you do with other 8Bitdo controllers and receivers. As of this review - you have to put the controller into "update mode" by holding the shoulder buttons and then start. Once in this mode you connect it to your computer with the included USB cables. The controller will show up as a very small drive, complete with a drive label (on a Windows machine). This is where you copy the controller's firmware files, "V2.00_GamePad". Make sure to securely disconnect it, and then remove the USB cable. You then can connect the receiver (a blue light indicates a connection) and copy the retro receiver firmware files to it the same way as you did the controller. Be careful, as the instructions I was sent had a typo and asked for me to copy the controller firmware over twice, first to the controllers and then again to the receivers - however for the receivers you will copy the receiver specific file, in my case the file named "V2.00_RR". After that you are all set! My controllers were dropping connections regularly after around ~1 hour of playing on the original firmware. Now I have tested them both well past that limit with 0 dropping and 0 lag. I really hope the controllers will begin shipping with an updated firmware already installed, but if you need to make the update I hope that this has been helpful.

Great controller!

I purchased two of this, a black and a white one. Both worked great out of the box. I have not had any connectivity issues that other users reported even when using both at the same time on the same console. I have tested them on an original model 1 Sega Genesis. The controller feels very good in the hand despite not being exactly the same shape as an original 6-button controller and the D-pad is also excellent like in original hardware. I am very sensitive to input lag, and I did not detect any lag whatsoever. I am very glad that 8bitdo is starting to release more 2.4G wireless. The only minor issue that I had was that the Start button on one of the controllers got stuck in the pressed position for about 5 seconds until I pressed it again. This occurred only once right after taking it out of the box and never happened again. Overall, you cannot beat this $25 price for such a quality controller.

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